Improvement in folding coops



E. P. LAWRENCE.

Folding-Coups.

Patented Dec. 9,1873.

AM PHUO-LIIHOMAPHIB 0, N. Wasson/is Moms) UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWIN I. LAVBENGE, OF-WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN FoLDlNe coops.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No.1145.302, dated Decembrr 9, 1873; application filed July 22, 1873.

To all who-m it may concer-n Be it known that I, EDWIN P. LAWRENCE, of the city and county of Vorcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Coops for Poultry Exhibitions; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact folded for transportation or storage.

The object of my invention is to provide, for the use of poultry exhibitions and similar purposes, a coop or cage which can be readily folded into a compact form for storage or transportation, while it can be conveniently and quickly set up for use when desired, the fold# ing and unfolding to be performed with but slight labor, said coop also to be light, strong, and durable, and one that can be manufactured at small expense. To this end my invention consists in a folding coop or cage, the

parts of which are constructed and combined with each other substantially as hereinafter set forth. I

In the drawings, A denotes the front part ofethe coop; B, the rear part; C, the bottom;

' D, the top, and E E the ends. The front A,

rear B, and top parts D are each composed of rectangular frames, across which are arranged bars or rods a b d, the ends of said rods being fixed in holes formed in the frames, or otherwise firmly connected thereto. The bottom C is formed of the proper size to fit closely between the fr'ont and rear parts when the coop is extended, and is made from thin boards, suitably stiifened by battens c, or strips, across its under side. This bottom C is hinged at e to the lower frame of the rear part B in such a manner that it can be swung upward into the interior of the coop, as indicated by dotted line, Fig. 2, and as shown in Fig. 3. A block or stopfiange, f, is fixed to the front part A, upon which the bottom C rests, and is supported when the coop is in use. The top D is joined with the rear B by hinges 71l h having double joints, as shown, arranged in such a manner that the top D can be folded completely over upon the back of the rear part, B, as illustrated in Fig. 3. The corners of the top D are notched out to t onto projections 'i at the upper corners of the front and rear parts A B, the side frames of said parts being extended beyond the horizontals to form the projections z'. Then the coop is set up for use, the top D, fitting between the projections t', serves as a brace, and holds the parts in position at the top, and, in connection with the bottom C, which braces the lower corners, renders the coop rigid and firm. The ends E E of the coop I form of canvas or strong cloth, or of some similar flexible material, the edges thereof being secured to the side frames of the front A and rear B, so that the ends E will be strained taut when the front and rear parts are held separated by the top D and bottom C, and will readily collapse when said top and bottom parts are raised sufliciently to release their corners from engagement with the front A when the coop is to be folded. The canvas ends form a good partition between the fowls in the several coops when the latter are set up closely in rows, as in exhibitions; and when the coops are folded the ends E collapse into very small space, so that the coops can be packed much closer than those heretofore in use. Leather or rubber cloth can be used for the ends E 5 but I prefer canvas for general use. A hook, k, is attached to the front piece A, which hooks over one of the bars of the top D, and prevents the latter from being accidentally raised. Any other device may be used for this purpose, as desired.

To fold the coop, release the hook k, swing the top D over upon the back of the rear part B, and the bottom up into the interior; fold the ends E inward, and place the front A against the bottom and rear, as shown in Fig. 3. hen thus folded, the coops occupy comparatively little space, and can be closely packed for transportation or storage.

To set up the coop, draw the front A forward, so as to extend the ends E and permit the bottom C to fall to a horizontal position; then swing the top over, and lock its notched corners into the projections t', and secure with the hook k.

It Will be observed that the folding and unfolding of the coop can be performed instantaneously, and With very little labor; and, as all parts of the coop are attached to each other, there is no liability of any of the parts becoming detached or separated from the others while handling or in transportation.

The front part of the coop is provided With two movable bars, a', having their lower ends framed into a slide-piece, m, in such manner that they can be raised, as indicated in Fig. 2, to allowr access to the interior of the coop.

The coops can, if desired, be made in long sections, with partitions to form them into several compartments, said partitions to be of cloth similar to the ends7 or in the form of doors hinged to the rear part B.

A singlejointed hinge may he used at h by beveling oft' the frames to which the hinges are attached, as shown by section H; but I prefer the construction heretofore described.

Having described my improved folding coop, what I claim therein as nevT and of my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

A folding coop or cage, consisting of the front piece A, rear piece B, bottom C, top D, flexible ends E E, and hinges e h, said parts being constructed and combined for operation substantially as set forth.

E. P. LAWRENCE.

Witnesses CHAs. H. BURLEIGH, GEORGE L. LEE. 

